Antibiotic stewardship programmes (ASP) can be defined as coordinated interventions designed to improve and measure the appropriate use of antibiotics. Increasing antimicrobial resistance, the lack of new antibiotic drug classes and the suboptimal use of antimicrobials are the main drivers for ASP. An interdisciplinary group of experts should be formed to implement ASP at a national level, in which, hospital pharmacists should play a key role. We discuss the current evidence of the different antibiotic stewardship methods and describe the main implementation strategies for ASP. Surveillance of antimicrobial consumption is an essential requirement for ASP, but it does not provide sufficient qualitative information about prescribing to identify where changes can be made to improve clinical practice. The quality of antibiotic prescribing can be monitored by clinical audits like point prevalence surveys.

Rónai Z.: Importance of device selection and inhaler technique in the treatment of chronic respiratory diseaes

Inhaled therapies are the cornerstone of obstructive pulmonary disease management, however, it can be often difficult to use them correctly. Errors in inhaler technique can reduce drug delivery to the lungs and effectiveness of treatment. Device selection should be made in partnership with patients: personal characteristics as well as comorbidities should take into consideration, and the choice of the device should be individualized. The pharmacist the last one who can give information to the patients before using inhaled medications at home have an essential role in minimizing the inhalation errors. Common errors may serve as a checklist for pharmacists to aid inhaler technique training. Pharmacists have a key role in maximizing inhaled therapy adherence and effectiveness in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by ensuring that the patient is using a suitable inhaler device, and can learn and maintain inhaler technique. Therefore, they are required to have a full understanding of the characteristics of each device.

Pomázi A.: What can pharmacists do for COPD patients? Opportunities for smoking cessation in a pharmacy and factors affecting the success of a cessation were determined

Smoking habits and relevant epidemiological data have changed in recent years. Pharmacist can do a lot to help support smoking cessation more effectively. For this, it is necessary first to understand addiction and to discontinue motivation. Worldwide and in Hungary we have a changing attitude towards smoking. Smoking among the adult population is already „not fashion”, and smokers’ perception of society and smokers themselves have become much more subtle. In Hungary, a third of adults are regular smokers and the number of deaths associated with smoking-related diseases nearly thirty thousand. The socio-economic aspects of smoking and nicotine addiction and the methodological characteristics smoking-related 22 were determinate, and outlined the smoking population-related relationships of the Hungarian adult population in the light of statistical results. As a next step in our research, we have compiled a questionnaire for regular smokers, including estimating the dependence of nicotine dependence, including Fagerström’s nicotine dependency test. Using the above, we mapped the affected patient population and determined the pharmacotherapeutic possibilities available for the cessation

Dér P.: Assessment of pharmaceutical consultancy and competences by the population, based on an online survey

Pharmaceutical counsel takes up most of the work time behind the counter, and can be practiced both offline (mostly as selling medicines) or online. I had this practice assessed by the population with an online survey (n=1031). After the evaluation it can be stated that the trust in pharmacists and pharmacies is strong. This trust must be maintained and used well. Seeking medical advice online became part of internet habits, which creates the need for novel practices. The online presence of the pharmacist strenghtens the trust between professionals and non-professionals, and also encourages the asking of questions. This did not enhance health literacy, only adherence through better availability.

Thoughts about the reform of higher education on the basis of „A Connected Curriculum for Higher Education” written by prof. emerita Dilly Fung which provides a theoretical and practical guide for the the leaders, teachers and the students of higher education in the UK and everywhere in the world. The research- and enquiry-based education and the required collaboration among academic staff and people taking part in practical education including the alumni are all very important, but the bedrock of all institutions are the shared leadership, that means who seat at the decisoins-making table, how are the students involved in the process, etc. It appears to us that the introduction of Teaching Excellence Framework, TEF and the Research Excellence Framework, REF for the inspiration and evaluation of the main activities of higher education institutions are advantageous.

We think all suggestions listed in the book ensure the sharing of excellent practices and stimulating of new creative ideas as well as make clear the direction of development of institutions. All the reforms should be decided upon collectively and in the interest of all parties. But the evaluation of both the TEF and the REF contains beside some indisputable elements, and some debatable ones, too e.g. how the new regulations influence the institutes and research-educators? In reality the connected curriculum of an institution nicely reflects and characterizes the quality of education-work of the same institute.